November 30, 2008              FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT                           9:30am

PLEASE   TURN   OFF   CELL   PHONES….  THANK   YOU !

INFANT  &  TODDLER  CARE  BY  ADULTS  DURING  ALL  SERVICES  IN  CHURCH  NURSERY

Advent is a time for Christians, every year, to practice being part of the people of God in a damaged creation.   

~Richard Swanson~

PREPARING   TO   WORSHIP   GOD

The Welcome/Welcoming One Another

Church Family Announcements                                     

Prelude                                                    Prepare the Way, O Zion                                                                     Dale Wood

Lighting the Candles                                                                                   Acolyte: Sarah Lamb

PRAISING   GOD

The Call to Worship                                                                                                     

One:  Christ shall come, God’s gift to the world:

All:  That the desperate should find hope-

One:  That the persecuted should find peace-

All:  That the lonely should find love-

One:  That the sad should find joy.

All:   O Christ of the world, your time is now.  We wait and watch.

*Hymn of Praise: # B 1 (Worship Book)    Prepare the Way, O Zion                                           Bereden vag fur Herran

*Prayer of Invocation

Holy One of God, we wait for you with open hearts. Speak a word of comfort and hope we pray.  You fashion us as a potter works with clay, remake us in faithfulness. Ground us in the gentle rhythm of Advent, that we may watch and wait with joy. Amen

*Response: #743                       Be still and know that I am God (3 times)

THE  LIGHTING  OF  THE  ADVENT  WREATH

The Lighting of Our Advent Wreath                                                                                       Gail Fulop

One:  As our days grow shorter and our nights longer, we who are people of faith turn to symbols such as candles, evergreens and wreaths to proclaim our belief in the unquenchable light.  In hopeful anticipation, we prepare for the coming of the Reign of God.  Listen for the Word in the words of the prophet for the first Sunday of this new church year.

All:   We open our hearts to the Word in the words.

One:  A reading from the Prophet Isaiah, Chapter 64, verses 1 to 9.

All:   As we begin our journey to the light, we confess that our lives have not always been lived  in ways pleasing to God.  Yet even now, our longing for the One who tears open the heavens and comes down, kindles like a fire in our soul.  Even now as we wait, we dare to hope.

One:  We are filled with anticipation and feel hope rise up within us.  And so we light this first candle and name it Hope.

Response:              Shine in us, O God of justice;  Guide our path through gloom of night;

Bear within us Wisdom’s glory; Come to us, O Christ the Light!

HEARING   GOD’S   WORD

Children’s Sermon

Anthem:                                        Lord, Before This Fleeting Season                                           Libby Larsen

Scripture Lessons                                                                                                       MARK 13:32-37

Sermon                                            THE  WHISPERED  PROMISE                         Rev. Patricia L. Liberty

*Hymn of Reflection: # 410         If You But Trust in God to Guide You                                                               Neumark

RESPONDING   TO   GOD’S   WORD

Prayers of the Church & Lord’s Prayer (using sins)

Presentation of Our Offerings and Tithes

Offertory Anthem                                        Advent Kyrie                                                              David Lantz III

*Offertory Response:       To God, all glorious heavenly Light, to Christ revealed in earthly night

                                          To God the Spirit now we raise our joyful songs of thankful praise.

Prayer of Dedication

*Hymn of Commitment #611                 O Day of God, Draw Near                                                     St. Michael

*Words of Parting  (unison)

As faithful believers who extend God’s welcome to a waiting world, let our words and deeds point to the hope that is ours as wait for the Christ

*Benediction

*Response: (join hands)        Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel

Postlude                                             Prepare the Way, O Zion                                                                       Paul Manz

PLEASE   JOIN   US   DOWNSTAIRS   NOW   FOR   COFFEE   &   CONVERSATION

Ushers: Bill & Maureen Lyon, Kristin Sabatino, Sandi Reed, Judy Miller, Bob & Carolyn Mansolf

Coffee HourHosts:  Ralph & Meredith Mann, Rose Dunlap       Greeters: Doris Smith, Blake Hanscom

Flowers: Given by the members of our church in thanks for our church, our nation and our world.

Our  2009  Flower Chart  to provide flowers in honor/memory of loved ones is in Memorial Hall. 

Pick a date, don’t forget your phone number, and Meredith or Bev will be in touch. 

PLEASE  REMEMBER:  NO LILIES ALLOWED IN THIS FACILITY.

*              *              *              *              *              *              *              *              *              *              *              *              *

Joys & Concerns for Prayer:  We pray for Lou & Cathy Bruno & family as they grieve the death of his aunt, Tomasina. Hospitalized:  Gordon & Shirley Raymond.  We continue to pray for Sue Sinclair, Staff  Sgt. Sean Tavalozzi (Iraq), USMC LCPL Nathan Penfield (Afghanistan), Ruth Smith, Kim Rees, Kay Chaffee, Spc. Geoffrey Doble, Jr. (Iraq), Jack Noble, Andrea Sinclair, Betsy Roberts, Pat Livingstone, our Stephen Ministers & care-receivers and also the Sr. Minister Search Committee.

FOR  PASTORAL  NEEDS  &  EMERGENCIES  call any minister: Patricia L. Liberty (860-919-2260), Rick Haverly (860-620-0513), or Linda Fernandes-Bailey (1-203-948-3352).

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED in our church office to answer phones and to do light duty office work Monday – Friday 9am-12n or 12n – 3pm.  If you are interested see Pastor Pat.

SOUTHINGTON  COMMUNITY  SERVICES  CHRISTMAS  TAGS (for residents) are available on our Christmas trees.  Please take a tag(s) off the tree and return your gift(s) UNWRAPPED WITH TAG  ATTACHED by Sunday, DECEMBER 7^TH.  Place your gift(s) in any Covenant to Care or Southington Community Services box in the narthex, chapel or Memorial Hall.

SOUTHINGTON  COMMUNITY  SERVICES  HAS  MOVED to 91 Norton Street, Plantsville (formerly the Milldale firehouse).  Their NEW phone number is (860) 628-3761.

NEW STEPHEN MINISTRY TRAINING CLASS COMING SOON: If you're looking for the best lay care giving ministry available for today's church, look no farther. Our congregation is committed to providing quality Christian care to those who are hurting by equipping people to serve as Stephen Ministers.  A new class beings on January 15. For more information about Stephen Ministry, contact Reverend Patricia L. Liberty or Irene Hendrickson today.

2009 ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS  are available for Hartford & New Haven and we can get out-of-state books.  Books will be on sale during coffee hour. Cost: $30.00. Contact Rose Dunlap with any questions (628-8778).  Rose will donate $6. to the church for every book sold.  They make great gifts!

THE  EDFK  CART  will be open following the 9:30 & 11:15am services on:  TODAY & December 14.  Anyone interested in opening any other Sunday in December please call Kathy Corcoran 860-384-2883 for instruction on set-up and break-down.

VOLUNTEERS STILL  NEEDED  TO  HELP  WITH  OUR  HOLIDAY  AUCTION!  Can you bake, solicit donations, work at the bake table, set-up, clean-up or help in any way at the auction on Friday, December 5?  Call Carolyn Mansolf (621-5082) or sign-up in Memorial Hall.

A COMMITTEE  MINUTES  BOOK containing the minutes of all board/committee meetings is available in the church library for you to view.

Advent Booklets & Calendars  are available for your use at home.  They can be found in outside church office.  Please use them with your Advent wreath.

A  BLENDED  SERVICE:  On Sunday, Dec. 21 our 9:30 & 11:15AM  services will be blended into ONE service at 10AM… Twenty One children from all worship services are preparing their Christmas Offering of the “Christmas County Spelling Bee”. The play is directed by Merriah Currao, Lori Holm-Cipollini & Crystal Sullivan. It promises to the raise the roof and more importantly prepare room in our hearts for the newborn Baby!

 

OUR  CHURCH  CALENDAR

TODAY                                    November 30, 2008      

   8:00AM             Chapel Communion (Chapel)

                                    9:30AM             Morning Worship: Traditional & Sunday School

                                  11:15AM             T.G.I. Sunday: Contemporary Worship & Sunday School

                                  12:30PM               Teen Drama Club (207)

    5:00PM               Sr. High Youth Group

                                    6:00PM             Be Still:  Contemplative Worship & Sunday School

    7:00PM               CHURCH  COUNCIL (203)

                                SEARCH  COMMITTEE (201/2)

                                HANDBELL CHOIR (Choir Room)

                                    6:00PM               ROOTS - Drama: (Meetinghouse)

                                    6:45PM               ROOTS – Choir (Choir Room)

                                7:00PM   Way of Discernment Class (207)

                                                                Branches Rehearsal (Meetinghouse/Chapel)

                                                                Boy Scouts (Peace Café)

                                    8:00PM               AA Meeting (206)

FRIDAY   12:00PM               Confirmands leave for NYC Soup Kitchens – returning Sunday

    6:00PM               Preview – Holiday Auction (Memorial Hall)

                                    7:00PM               HOLIDAY  AUCTION      (Memorial  Hall)

                                    7:30PM               Gishrei Shalom Jewish Cong. Service

                           8:00AM             Chapel Communion (Chapel)

                                    9:30AM             Morning Worship: Traditional & Sunday School

                                  11:15AM             T.G.I. Sunday: Contemporary Worship & Sunday School

                                  12:30PM               Teen Drama Group (Peace Café)

                                    2:00PM               MESSIAH  SING (St. Dominic Church)

    5:00PM               Sr. High Youth Group

                                    6:00PM             Be Still:  Contemplative Worship & Sunday School

                                    7:00PM               Seeds of Hope (204)

Today’s  Scripture  Lesson

MARK 13:32-37

³²“But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. ³³Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. ³⁴It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. ³⁵Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, ³⁶or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. ³⁷And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.”

 

Lord, Before This Fleeting Season

Lord, before this fleeting season is upon us, let me remember to walk slowly.

Lord, bless my heart with Love and quiet. Give my heart a leaning to hear carols.

Grace our family with contentment, and the peace that comes only from You.

Lord, help us to do less this busy season; go less; stay closer to home; kneel more.

May our hearts be Your heart. May we simply, peacefully, celebrate You, Lord.

                                                                                                                -Mary Ann Jindra

Advent Kyrie

Ceilings of cedar, lamp stands of gold, bronze covered pillars, beauty untold;

Yet in the splendor of all we behold, our hearts lie barren and cold.

            Kyrie, we pray for mercy, Kyrie, show us the way.

            Kyrie, send us a Savior. Kyrie.

Sign of deliverance, glimmer of peace, dreams of Messiah, visions increase:

Father in heaven, give us a sign. Send Your Redeemer divine.

            Kyrie, we pray for mercy, Kyrie, show us the way.

            Kyrie, send us a Savior. Kyrie. Amen.

 

 

OPPORTUNITIES   TO   SERVE

INFANT/TODDLER  NURSERY  VOLUNTEERS  NEEDED  FOR  11:15am  SERVICE: Adults & teens!  Can you help out once/twice monthly?  Contact: Jen Lanci (621-2831) or Wendy Bernardo (203-234-7282).

BREAD  FOR  LIFE  Our turn to serve at our community soup kitchen is December 15 – 19.  Sign-up for 1 or more days to serve.  10am – 1pm.  Sign-up outside Pastor Pat’s office.

COFFEE  HOUR  HOSTS  NEEDED after the 6:00pm Be Still: Contemplative Worship service.  Call Tracey Gabree, 628-9199.

SMALL   GROUPS

All small groups are open to everyone, whether or not you’ve ever attended before.

BREAKFAST  CLUB:  Meets the 2^nd Thursday each month (Sept. – June), 8-9am, Memorial Hall.  Breakfast $1.  Meets Thursday, December 11.   Spkr:  John Sperduti, Counselor, Southington Youth Services.  Topic:  An Overview of Services Offered to Youth & Families in Southington.

WOMEN’S  MORNING  GROUP: Meets the 2^nd Tuesday each month.  Next meeting:  TBA  All women of the church invited!

PEACE  CAFÉ  COFFEEHOUSE:    Meets the 2^nd Saturday each month.   On December 13,  A  CHRISTMAS  SING-A-LONG, 7:30pm (doors open at 7pm). 

CRUISIN’  CONGOS:  This trip is Full!  The December trip to Springfield’s famous Bright Lights at Forest Park with dinner at the equally well known Student Prince Restaurant will leave Southington Tuesday, Dec. 16^th at 3:30pm. Questions, call Meredith Mann (860-628-8982)or e-mail: mersm@cox.net . 

QUILTS  FOR  CHILDREN  IN  NEED  GROUP meets every other WEDNESDAY, 10:00AM, room #201/2, to sew quilts to comfort children in need.  No need to sew; you may cut, piece or tie.  December meetings: December 3, 17 & 31 For more info, call Carole Lantz.

PRAYER  CIRCLE: EVERY TUESDAY, 4:00-5:30PM, Church Parlor.  All welcome!  Leave prayer requests & addresses (card will be sent) in folder next to Church Office marked: Prayer Requests.

SEEDS  OF  HOPE  GROUP works in & through our church & community to foster awareness, communication, educational opportunities & action regarding our role as compassionate Christians living in a small world, who take seriously Jesus’ statement: Whatever you do to even the least of your brothers & sisters, you do it to me.  The group sponsors forums, speakers, film & book discussions etc, promoting peace, justice, environmental concerns & more.  ALL  WELCOME!  For info, call Randy Yale (919-606-5757 or randy_y0@yahoo.com).  Meets the 1^st Sunday each month at 7:30pm in room #204. Next meeting: December 7

OUR  ADDICTION  ASSISTANCE  NETWORK is for individuals/families needing confidential assistance with problem drinking, drug use, gambling, etc.  Contact Steve & JoAnn Ray (203-591-1291).

SENIOR  HIGH  YOUTH  GROUP (grades 9-12) meets Sunday evenings from 5-7pm.  For more information, contact Rick Haverly  (860-620-0513).

SPIRIT YOGA On Monday evenings, there is a shared yoga practice in the Peace Café from 6:30pm-7:30pm.  All church family members are welcome to participate in this moderately intense practice. Be prepared to stretch, sweat and connect with spirit with this timeless form of meditation in motion. You will need a yoga mat and a non-perishable food item for the food bank. This will be led by several church members and is not open to the public. Questions contact Crystal Sullivan @ 276-8614 or kencryss@sbcglobal.net.